University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
AI and Quantitative Economics BS
Buffalo, USA
BSc
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
If you like math and data—and you want to use AI to predict economic outcomes and help people—you’ve found the perfect match. In this one-of-a-kind program, you’ll combine your interests in economics, AI and data science to work on real-world problems. (Simply put, “quantitative” economics means using models and data to understand and anticipate results). Now, imagine your future using AI to support business decisions, improve the impact of public schools or distribute food to communities in need. Sound like something you’d enjoy? Then put this major at the top of your list.
UB: A Leader in AI
- Home to Empire AI, a statewide hub for addressing societal challenges through AI.
- Home to National AI Institute funded by the National Science Foundation.
- More than 400 researchers involved with AI.
- Multiple institutes and centers focused on AI applications.
- Other degree programs like this one create a community of students focused on the study of AI for the social good.
What can I do outside of class?
As much as you’ll learn going to class, sometimes the most valuable lessons come through all the other things you can do at UB.
Internships and other hands-on experiences. Here, you’ll find computing competitions, experiential learning opportunities, and connections to internships (including Wall Street and one of the largest banks in the country).
Research. Work directly with a faculty expert at UB, which is an R1 (top-level) research university.
Study abroad. Ready for a life-changing experience? Consider spending a semester (or summer) abroad.
Student groups. Make friends and do what you love, or try something completely different. At UB, it’s your choice.
Whether you want to predict the stock market, improve the job market or lower prices at the supermarket, economics can be applied to nearly every aspect of our lives—which means it’s really up to you how you use your talents.
Policy, developing monetary guidelines, finding ways to lower poverty rates, or working on new regulations for equitable AI.
Finance and fintech (financial technology), implementing AI to improve fraud detection, minimize financial risk, or improve access to cryptocurrency and blockchains.
Environmental economics, modeling the cost of climate change or calculating the return on investment (ROI) for sustainability projects.
Business, using AI to create more accurate pricing models, predict consumer behavior and forecast product demand.
Graduate school, getting an advanced degree in economics, finance, machine learning or AI.
Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study and loans, and is provided through many different agencies including federal and state governments as well as individual departments at UB.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Scholarships
- I Applied, What’s Next?
- Special and Unusual Circumstances
You must meet the following basic criteria to be eligible for federal financial aid:
General Eligibility Requirements
- Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen;
- Have a valid Social Security number unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau;
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment (matriculated) as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible for Direct Loan program funds and at in at least 3 credit hours for Pell Grant funds (repeated coursework may not be counted in enrollment in some instances);
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the University at Buffalo;
- Sign a certifying statement on the FAFSA stating that:
- You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant and
- You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes;
- Show you are qualified to obtain a college education by:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives; AND
- Not be in default on a on a Federal Student Aid loan.
Citizenship Verification
Students who indicate that they are U.S. Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens on the FAFSA who cannot have their citizenship status confirmed through the FAFSA application process will be required to complete the UB Citizenship Verification process.
To complete the verification, you will need to complete the Citizenship Verification form and present the original documentation proving your citizenship status as listed on the form to our office.
Students completing this process should also contact the Social Security Administration to update its database to avoid this requirement in the future.
High School Transcript or Equivalent Verification
For federal financial aid, you must provide one of the following if you are a first-time student or a transfer student with less than 24 earned credit hours:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the ability-to-benefit alternatives.
If your final high school transcript is not on file with the Office of Admissions on the first day of classes of your first term, the processing of your awards may be delayed.
For all New York State financial aid awards, a final official high school transcript from a U.S. high school, or an equivalent recognized by New York State, must be on file at UB by the first day of classes of the term to which the award is to be applied. Failure to meet this deadline will result in an ineligible status for that term. Eligibility may be regained in subsequent terms once the transcript is received.
Dependency Status
For purposes of Financial Aid, all students are considered either Dependent or Independent. Dependent students are required to provide parent information on their FAFSA. Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student.
Unusual Enrollment History
If you have enrolled in and received federal financial aid at multiple institutions over the last 4 years, UB may request official transcripts from those institutions.
Renewed Eligibility After a Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
If you have applied for or have received a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge of your federal student loans or TEACH Grant service obligation, you will not be eligible to receive a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant in the future unless:
- You obtain a certification from a physician that you are able to engage in substantial gainful activity; and
- You sign a statement acknowledging that the new loan or TEACH Grant service obligation cannot be discharged in the future on the basis of any injury or illness present at the time the new loan or TEACH Grant is made, unless your condition substantially deteriorates so that you are again totally and permanently disabled.
In addition, if you are approved for TPD discharge based on SSA documentation or a physician’s certification, and you request a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant during your 3-year post discharge monitoring period, you must resume repayment on the previously discharged loans or acknowledge that you are once again subject to the terms of your TEACH Grant service obligation before you can receive the new loan or TEACH Grant.
What will I learn?
In this program, you’ll learn about the technical aspects of AI and how it’s transforming society, how to use AI tools to analyze economic data, and the best ways to share your insights. You’ll start by learning about the properties of data, different types of AI platforms (including their biases and ethical implications), and how AI tools can be built by society, for society. You’ll study macro and microeconomics, how AI affects economic policymaking, and econometrics (how to use data and statistics to find solutions). Finally, you’ll choose a series of economics electives based on your interests in finance, the environment, health or other topics—and take a capstone course where you bring together everything you’ve learned and apply it to address a specific problem.